This started when Thomas Costello was scoutmaster. Mr. "C" found a dilapidated old cabin on Floyd's Island. Mr. "C" struck a deal with the National Park Service that our troop would come in every year and complete any maintenance required to preserve the cabin. Also we would complete any service that the park service needed on this trip.

Forty years later, the cabin still stands. Every year the rangers have a 2-3 page list of "chores" that need to be taken care of in that part of the swamp. The troop clears the canoe trails, removes downed trees and limbs, maintains an emergency helicopter pad, and anything else on the list, besides repairing the cabin.

Our journey in is about 18 miles (longer for those that cannot canoe in a straight line) and about 8 miles out. We spend one day paddling in (usually Friday), then we work at our service projects all day Saturday. After Church services on Sunday, we go back to work to complete our cheerful service. Monday morning everyone gets up at 4:00 A.M. to load canoes and head out, coming out at Stephen Foster State Park. We then pack up and drive back, arriving about 6:30 P.M.

Our scouts miss must miss 2 days of school, but the experience is well worth making up the homework.

Lance Richard and "mountain man" John Struthers work on repairing the
cabin roof.

Sean Browning works at splitting some firewood as (from the left) Vincent
Medani, Michael Register, Timothy Kauffman and Andrew Liu wait their
turn.

Campfires, skits, and storytelling are a big part of the Okefenokee
Swamp experience.

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